Burlingame, Calif.

Since 1972, the nation's first and longest-running public-private partnership for municipal wastewater services has chalked up numerous awards, contract extensions, and millions of dollars in savings for residents.

CHALLENGE

A range of operational and compliance problems at Burlingame's wastewater treatment plant embarrassed city officials, who turned to Veolia North America in 1972. Under its groundbreaking operate/maintain/manage (O&M) contract, Veolia assumed responsibility for the city's wastewater treatment facilities that currently include a 5.5-MGD activated sludge treatment plant, a lift station, landfill gas collection and treatment, a stormwater pollution prevention program, 475-dtpy biosolids land application and new co-generation power system. The partnership remains strong today.

SOLUTION

Implement focused O&M approaches and process control programs.

Assign a core group of experienced supervisors to solve the plant's problems.

Work closely with the city and its design engineer on a plant expansion to maintain effluent quality and control costs.

Manage and support $25 million in capital improvements over the decades-long partnership.